Final answer:
Graphite pencils and charcoal are two commonly used drawing materials in the arts, each offering a range of tonal values and mark-making possibilities. Graphite pencils vary in hardness, affecting line quality and tonal range, while charcoal provides a spectrum from light grays to deep blacks. Both require specific techniques for achieving desired effects and may need fixing to prevent smearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A graphite pencil is a commonly used drawing material renowned for its versatility in creating detailed and intricate drawings. It consists of a thin rod of graphite, a form of carbon, that's combined with clay and encased within wood or paper. Artists can buy graphite pencils according to hardness, such as B for softer pencils that create very dark areas, or HB and H for hard pencils that produce shaper and lighter marks. To prevent smearing, artwork done with graphite must often be fixed with a solution, such as thinned varnish.
Charcoal is another drawing medium, known for being one of the oldest forms. It's made by charring wooden sticks or branches, known as vine charcoal, which comes in soft, medium, and hard densities. There is also compressed charcoal, which gives deeper blacks but is harder to manipulate. Charcoal can create a range of values from light grays to rich, velvety blacks, and is often used for its ability to achieve a range of tonal effects.
Both graphite and charcoal are considered dry media, and they offer artists a spectrum of mark-making possibilities. The material's hardness or softness determines the tones that can be achieved, and various techniques, such as hatching and crosshatching, are used to build up tones and create depth in a drawing. Attention to the interaction between the drawing material and the paper's resistance is essential for achieving the desired tonal quality.